Echinocereus coccineusEngelm. in Wisliz.: It has stems that are 2,5 to 5 cm thick, with 8 to 11 ribs. The spines are not differentiable between centrals & radials. There are 0 to 4 central spines and 5 to 20 radial spines per areole. The red-orange flower is 7-8 cm across, and the stigma has 7 or 8 lobes.

Echinocereus coccineus var. gurneyi(L.D.Benson) S.Brack & K.D.Heil: Stems darker green in color compared to the other varieties, and 10 cm thick. The flowers are Orangish-red. This variety is often included into the 'coccineus' subspecies. It looks like coccineus, but is very clustering!

Echinocereus coccineus subs. paucispinus(Engelm.) W.Blum, Mich.Lange & Rutow in W.Blum et al.: It has stems that are about 6 cm thick, with 5 to 8 acute narrowly furrowed ribs that have areoles that are spa ced 0,5 to 1 cm apart. It has 0 or 1 central spine, 1.4 inches long, and 3 to 6 radial spines that are curved and straight. The flower is red with a hint of orange & shaped like a funnel about 5 cm long, having 7 lobes of the stigma.

Echinocereus coccineus var. rosei(Wooton & Standl.) A.D.Zimmerman: This plant has relatively long, white wool in the areoles of the ovary and fruit. Flowers scarlet (pink and orange flowered plants are also reported)